A Fashionable Tea Event

On Family Day, I attended the "Hemlines: The Fashion (R)Evolution" exhibit at the Dundas Museum & Archives.

The majority of the 40+ outfits featured in the gallery were originally owned by local Dundas residents. 

These white cotton dresses (circa 1900s) are perfect for a summer tea party.

Capes and coats from the 1900s to 1930s.

"An Outfit for Every Occasion" (1900-1909)

During this decade, it was fashionable and a sign of status to wear different outfits in the morning, early afternoon, late afternoon (the tea gown offered temporary respite from the corsets) and evening. A popular trend was the curved hour-glass silhouette.

"The Terrible Teens" (1910-1915).

Popular trends during the "Terrible Teens" included the "hobble skirt" (the skirt was so narrow that the wearer hobbled while they walked) and the rising hemlines.

"The Rebellious '20s" (1920-1929)

I could picture the ladies from Downton Abbey in these outfits.
A popular '20s trend was the tubular silhouette.

"The Rebellious '20s" (1920-1929)

The drop waist dress was also trendy during the '20s.

"The Shape of Austerity" (1930-1939)

People escaped from the economic hardships brought about by the 1929 Stock Market Crash and the outbreak of World War II by emulating the fashions of the glamorous Hollywood stars.

"Braced for Conflict" (1940-1949)

Rationing of fabric during World War II and the emerging roles of women in the workforce lead to practical and functional clothing in the '40s: shorter hemlines and close-fitting skirts and pants.

"The New Look" (1940-1949) & "Out with the Old" (1950-1959)

In 1947, Christian Dior introduced a new look that emphasized the feminine curves: cinched-in waists and fulled shirts. This hour-glass silhouette dominated the '50s.

"The Youthquake Decade" (1960-1969)

The popular '60s trends included: the "mod look", hippie styles and the mini-skirts.

As part of the free Family Day event, the museum offered light snacks and refreshments.

I was impressed that they used their fancy Royal Winton snack sets for a child-friendly event.

The mini scones with jam and cream were provided by Taylor's Tea Room.

I loved the beautiful teapot!

Round 1: tea and scones

Round 2: tea and cookies

Entertainment was provided by The Hamilton English Country Dancers (not pictured).

What is your favourite fashion trend?

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Tea with Friends

The Heart Wants What It Wants

Tea at the White House in Waterdown was one of the first tea rooms where I enjoyed afternoon tea.

This quaint tea room offered both indoor and outdoor seating. 

Unfortunately, the sale of the "white house" a few years ago forced the tea room operators to shut down their popular tea room. While the owners searched for a new venue for their tea room, they continued selling their teas through their online store and holiday pop-up shops.

During last weekend's snowstorm, I visited the Tea at the White House Valentine Pop-up Shop.  I fell off my tea wagon (47 days without new tea purchases!) and brought home a tin of Chocolate Raspberry Rendezvous black tea... 

...as well as these yummy heart-shaped scones. 

I've always loved the scones served at Tea at the White House.

We celebrated Valetine's Day at the office with the first tea social of 2017.

We sipped the tasty chocolate raspberry rendezvous black tea from my heart cups and saucers.

Some of the savories and sweets brought in by my co-workers. 

Not pictured: veggies, cinnamon bread, strudel.

This Black Tea Rose candle by Bath and Body Works was a Valentine gift from my mom.

I was stalking this small pink with red heart teapot on Indigo's online store for weeks.

The teapot FINALLY went on sale (50% off!!!) so I rushed to the store over the weekend and used my gift card and Plum rewards special bonus to make it mine.

You got me sippin' on something...

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Tea with Friends

Miss Match

This Valentine's Day, I'm playing matchmaker...

...with this soft pink teacup by Taylor & Kent rescued from a church sale a few years back...

 ...and this gilded Grosvenor saucer found at the same church sale.

This wide mouth teacup has pretty flowers inside.

What a perfect match!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Tea with Friends

Hygge at Home

Recently, I learned about an interesting Danish concept called hygge (pronounced "hoo-gah"). I had visited Denmark in 2010 (one of my favourite trips!) but this was the first time that I've heard of this unique part of Danish culture.

Taken in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2010.

The Oxford Dictionaries define hygge as:

"A quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture)."

Photo credit: Internet

I'm a sucker for cute book covers so this book had me at the teapot and teacups.

You can learn more about The Art of Danish Hygge here.

This past weekend, I practiced some hygge at home to help combat the winter doldrums.

Cozy blanket? Check!

Mug of tea? Check!

 

 This charming book (pun intended!) was recommended by another blogger.

You can learn How to Hygge Your Reading Life here.

I miraculously stayed spoiler-free of the sixth season of Game of Thrones and binge watched the episodes with glee (sorry, Fitbit!).

You can't get more hygge than enjoying a cup of tea with a chocolate scone by the fire.

Do you practice the art of hygge?

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Tea with Friends